CN112571967B

CN112571967B - Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN112571967B
Application number: CN202011020015.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 渡边英一郎; 大西祐纪
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2019-09-30
Filing date: 2020-09-25
Publication date: 2023-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-25
Also published as: CN112571967A; JP7028229B2; JP2021053909A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a liquid ejecting head and a liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting head includes: a nozzle plate provided with nozzles for ejecting liquid in a first direction; a first flow path member which is disposed on a second direction side opposite to the first direction with respect to the nozzle plate, and which is provided with a flow path for supplying liquid to the nozzle; a liquid introduction portion which is disposed on the second direction side with respect to the first flow path member and introduces liquid from the outside to the flow path, the first flow path member having: a surrounding wall which is provided upright on a surface on the second direction side and surrounds the liquid introduction portion; and a discharge passage for discharging the liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member, wherein a first opening of the discharge passage opening in the second direction is provided on the surface, and a distance between a first wall portion of the surrounding wall, which is arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and an edge of the first opening is 1/2 or less of a length of a largest line segment that can be arranged in the first opening.

Description

Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, there is an ink head unit including an ink discharge port in a range surrounded by a rising wall of a flow path member forming a part of a liquid flow path (patent document 1). In this ink head unit, when ink leakage occurs at the connection portion between the ink cartridge and the ink head unit, ink is discharged from the ink discharge port to the outside of the ink head unit.

However, in the technique of patent document 1, the positional relationship between the rising wall and the ink discharge port is not sufficiently considered. Therefore, when ink leakage occurs or after that, in the case where the ink head unit is inclined, ink is caught at a portion located below in a corner portion where the rising wall of the flow path member is connected to the bottom surface, so that ink is not discharged from the ink discharge port provided on the bottom surface. After that, if the ink leaks further, the ink leaks out beyond the rising wall and adheres to the circuit board, the connector, or the like, and a short circuit may be caused.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-233222

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejecting head includes: a nozzle plate provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid in a first direction; a first flow path member that is disposed on a second direction side, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, with respect to the nozzle plate, and that is provided with a flow path for supplying liquid to the nozzles therein; a liquid introduction portion that is disposed on the second direction side with respect to the first flow path member, and that introduces liquid from outside the liquid ejecting head to the flow path, the first flow path member having: a surrounding wall which is provided upright from a surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side toward the second direction and surrounds the liquid introduction portion; and a discharge passage for discharging the liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member, wherein a first opening is provided in the surface, the first opening being a part of the discharge passage and opening toward the second direction, the surrounding wall has a first wall portion, the first wall portion is arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a minimum distance between an edge of the first opening and the first wall portion is 1/2 or less of a length of a largest line segment that is configurable in the first opening.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus 100 including a liquid ejecting head 200 as an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejecting head 200 showing the components of the carriage 210.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejecting head 200 showing the first sealing member 220, the circuit substrate 230, the actuator unit 240, and the housing 250.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejecting head 200 showing the vibration plate 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cap 290.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the main body 215 of the bracket 210 viewed along the first direction D1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a state where the filter 213 and the seal 211 are overlapped with the body 215 of the holder 210.

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the mounting portion 214 is further overlapped with respect to the sub-assembly of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are stacked.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a state where the holder 210, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the vibration plate 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are stacked.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the liquid ejecting head 200 mounted on the carriage 116 when viewed along the second direction D2.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 and the first wall W11 in the main body 215.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a part of the cavity Cv of the mold when the first opening Op11 and the first wall W11 of the discharge passage Ex1 in the main body 215 are configured by the mold.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op21 of the discharge passage Ex2 and the first wall W21 in the main body 215.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op31 of the discharge passage Ex3 and the first wall W31 in the main body 215.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op41 of the discharge passage Ex4 and the first wall W41 in the main body 215.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op51 of the discharge passage Ex5 and the first wall W51 in the main body 215.

Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus 100a including a liquid ejecting head 200a according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of the pressure regulating valve.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of the damper 170.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the structures of a hose 160, an ink supply needle 205, and a holder 210a in other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description

A. First embodiment:

A1. the structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus:

fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus 100 including a liquid ejecting head 200 as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink. The liquid ejection apparatus 100 receives image data from a computer as a liquid ejection control apparatus not shown in fig. 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 converts image data into print data indicating ON/OFF (ON/OFF) of dots ON the print medium P. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 ejects ink on the printing medium P based on the print data, and forms dots at various positions on the printing medium P, thereby printing an image on the printing medium P.

The liquid ejecting apparatus 100 includes a liquid ejecting head 200, a carriage 116, ten ink cartridges 117, a carriage motor 118, a conveyance motor 119, a drive belt 114, a flexible flat cable 113, a platen 115, a control section 110, and a casing 112.

The liquid ejecting head 200 is mounted on the carriage 116. The liquid ejecting head 200 is electrically connected to the control section 110 via a flexible flat cable 113. The liquid ejecting head 200 includes a plurality of nozzles 282 for ejecting ink to a surface facing the printing medium P. The plurality of nozzles 282 constitute ten rows of nozzle rows 281. The ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to the liquid ejecting head 200 is ejected from the nozzles 282 onto the printing medium P in the form of droplets.

The ink cartridge 117 stores ink as a liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200. The ten ink cartridges 117 house inks of different colors. The ten ink cartridges 117 are mounted on the carriage 116.

The carriage 116 holds and moves the liquid ejecting head 200. The carriage 116 is mounted on a carriage guide not shown in fig. 1. The carriage 116 is movable back and forth along the carriage guide in the main scanning direction X. The carriage 116 is connected to a carriage motor 118 via a drive belt 114. The carriage 116 reciprocates along the main scanning direction X with rotation of the carriage motor 118.

In fig. 1, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as being orthogonal to each other. The Z axis is an axis coincident with the upper side in the vertical direction. The X-axis is an axis along the main scanning direction X. The Y axis is an axis in a direction orthogonal to the X axis and the Z axis. The Y-axis direction is also referred to as "sub-scanning direction Y". Of these directions, a direction indicated by an arrow mark is denoted by "+" and a direction opposite to the direction indicated by an arrow mark is denoted by "-". In the present specification, the-Z direction is also referred to as a first direction D1, the +z direction is referred to as a second direction D2, the +x direction is referred to as a third direction D3, and the +y direction is referred to as a fourth direction D4. The X, Y, and Z axes shown in the drawings below in fig. 2 coincide with the X, Y, and Z axes shown in fig. 1.

The conveyance motor 119 is a motor for conveying the printing medium P on which the ink ejected from the nozzles 282 is ejected. The conveyance motor 119 operates according to a control signal from the control unit 110. The printing medium P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction Y by the power of the conveying motor 119 being transmitted to the rollers of the platen 115.

The platen 115 supports the printing medium P to be conveyed. The platen 115 is provided with an ink absorbing portion Ab1 along the main scanning direction X. The ink absorbing portion Ab1 accommodates the porous member and opens in the Z direction. The ink absorbing portion Ab1 will be described later.

The case 112 houses the liquid ejecting head 200, the carriage 116, the ten ink cartridges 117, the carriage motor 118, the conveyance motor 119, the drive belt 114, the flexible flat cable 113, and the platen 115. In fig. 1, a part of the case 112 is not shown in order to make the structure of the inside of the case 112 visible. In fig. 1, the control unit 110 is disposed outside the casing 112. However, the case 112 may be configured to house the control unit 110.

The control unit 110 includes one or more CPUs (Central Processing Unit, central processing units), processing circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array, field programmable gate arrays), and storage circuits such as semiconductor memories, and controls the conveyance motor 119 and the carriage 116. Specifically, when the generation of the print data is completed, the control section 110 drives the conveyance motor 119 to convey the print medium P to the print start position in the sub-scanning direction Y. The control section 110 drives the carriage motor 118 to move the carriage 116 to the printing start position in the main scanning direction X. The control unit 110 alternately performs control of ejecting ink from the liquid ejecting head 200 to the printing medium P while moving the carriage 116 in the main scanning direction X, and control of the conveyance motor 119 for conveying the printing medium P in the sub-scanning direction Y, which is the printing direction, in accordance with the print data. As a result, an image is printed on the printing medium P.

A2. Structure of the liquid ejecting head:

fig. 2, 3, and 4 are exploded perspective views showing a schematic configuration of the liquid ejecting head 200. The liquid ejecting head 200 includes, in order along a first direction D1, a holder 210, a first sealing member 220, a circuit board 230, an actuator unit 240, a housing 250, a diaphragm 260, a flow path forming member 270, a nozzle plate 280, and a cap 290. The liquid ejecting head 200 is configured by laminating these respective structural members and joining them by four

screws

293, 294, 295, and 296.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejecting head 200 showing the components of the carriage 210. The holder 210 holds the ink cartridge 117 while holding the carriage 116 (see fig. 1). The holder 210 allows ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into a housing 250 (see fig. 3). The holder 210 includes a mounting portion 214, a filter 213, a seal 211, and a body portion 215.

The mounting portion 214 is a member to which the ink cartridge 117 is mounted. The mounting portion 214 includes ten ink supply pins 205. An ink supply needle 205 is inserted into an ink cartridge 117 that supplies ink to the liquid ejecting head 200. The ink supply needle 205 includes a part of the second flow path 219 therein. The ink supply needle 205 functions as a liquid introduction portion for introducing ink from the ink cartridge 117 to the liquid ejecting head 200.

The mounting portion 214 is formed of a polymer alloy of polyphenylene ether and other resins. The contact angle of each ink contained in the ink cartridge 117 on the surface of the mounting portion 214 is 20 ° or less. That is, the surface of the mounting portion 214 has high wettability with respect to ink.

The filter 213 is a member for removing bubbles and foreign matters contained in ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117. The filter 213 is disposed so as to block the second flow path 219 between the mounting portion 214 and the seal 211. The filter 213 has a disc shape. As the filter 213, a sheet-like substance in which a plurality of fine pores are formed by finely knitting fibers of a metal, a resin, or the like, a substance in which a plurality of fine pores are formed through a plate-like member of a metal, a resin, or the like can be used.

The seal 211 is a plate-like member, and has ten through holes penetrating in the Z direction. The seal 211 seals the space between the mounting portion 214 and the body portion 215 in a liquid-tight manner. Ink is caused to flow from the second flow passage 219 in the ink supply needle 205 of the mounting portion 214 to the second flow passage 219 in the main body portion 215 via the through hole provided in the seal 211.

A part of the second flow path 219 for supplying ink to the nozzle 282 is provided in the main body 215. The second flow passage 219 in the main body 215 is constituted by a groove extending in the horizontal direction and a through hole connected to the groove. When the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the main body 215 is substantially rectangular in shape in which the third direction D3 is the long side direction and the fourth direction D4 is the short side direction. The main body 215 is formed of a polymer alloy of polyphenylene ether and other resins. The contact angle between the surface of the main body 215 and each ink contained in the ink cartridge 117 is 20 ° or less. That is, the surface of the main body 215 has high wettability with respect to ink.

The main body 215 includes a floor surface Ts and a surrounding wall W10. The floor surface Ts is a surface of the main body 215 on the side of the second direction D2. The substrate surface Ts is also labeled "surface Ts". The floor surface Ts is a plane. The surrounding wall W10 is a wall portion erected from the floor surface Ts in the second direction D2. When the mounting portion 214, the filter 213, the seal 211, and the main body portion 215 are combined, the ink supply needle 205 is surrounded by the surrounding wall W10. The main body 215 further has a discharge passage Ex1 for discharging ink from the bottom plate surface Ts to the outside of the main body 215. The discharge passage Ex1 is a through hole penetrating the body 215 in a straight line along the first direction D1. The discharge passage Ex1 is not shown in fig. 2. The detailed structure of the main body 215 will be described later.

In the holder 210, the second flow path 219 in the ink supply needle 205 allows ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into the holder 210. The ink is filtered at the filter 213 and passes through the through hole of the seal 211 to reach the second flow passage 219 in the body 215. The second flow path 219 in the main body 215 distributes ink to the ink inlet 221 of the first sealing member 220 (see fig. 3).

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 200 showing the first sealing member 220, the circuit substrate 230, the actuator unit 240, and the housing 250. The first sealing member 220 is disposed between the holder 210 (see fig. 2) and the housing 250, and seals the holder 210 and the housing 250 in a fluid-tight manner. The first sealing member 220 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member elongated in the X direction. The first sealing member 220 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber or elastomer.

Ten ink inlets 221 are formed in the first sealing member 220. The ink inlet 221 is a through hole penetrating the first sealing member 220 in the Z direction. Ink is caused to flow from the second flow path 219 (see fig. 2) of the main body 215 of the holder 210 to the first flow path 253 in the housing 250 through the ink introduction port 221 of the first seal member 220.

The housing 250 is provided between the main body 215 of the bracket 210, the diaphragm 260, and the flow path forming member 270 (see fig. 4). The housing 250 distributes ink received from the holder 210 to the flow path forming member 270. Further, the housing 250 holds the circuit substrate 230 and the actuator unit 240 between the housing and the bracket 210. The case 250 is formed of synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

The housing 250 includes five housing spaces 255 and ten flow path pipes FP. The storage spaces 255 are each formed by a recess provided along the Y direction and opening into the second direction D2. The housing space 255 houses the actuator unit 240. The five storage spaces 255 are arranged in the X direction.

The flow path tube FP is a cylindrical member protruding from the bottom surface of the housing 250 in the second direction D2. When the housing 250 is viewed in the first direction D1, the ten flow path pipes FP are arranged at positions that do not overlap with the five housing spaces 255, respectively. The flow path tube FP communicates the ink inlet 221 of the first sealing member 220 with the ink inlet 261 of the diaphragm 260. The flow path tube FP functions as a first flow path 253 for allowing ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 to flow into the ink inlet 261.

The circuit board 230 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member elongated in the X direction. More specifically, when the circuit board 230 is viewed along the first direction D1, the circuit board 230 has an outer shape of a substantially rectangular shape in which the third direction D3 is the long side direction and the fourth direction D4 is the short side direction. The circuit substrate 230 is disposed between the holder 210 and the housing 250. The circuit board 230 is adjacent to the first sealing member 220 in the first direction D1. The circuit board 230 is fixed to the surface of the case 250 on the second direction D2 side by an adhesive.

The circuit board 230 includes a circuit for driving the liquid ejecting head 200. More specifically, the circuit board 230 is an electronic board in which wiring for driving the piezoelectric body 243 included in the actuator unit 240, a circuit element, and the like are integrated. The circuit board 230 includes ten first through holes 231, ten sets of connection terminals Ct, and two connector units Cn.

The first through hole 231 is a through hole penetrating the circuit substrate 230 in the Z direction. When the circuit board 230 is viewed along the second direction D2, the first through holes 231 are provided at positions overlapping the ink introduction ports 221 of the first sealing member 220, respectively. When the circuit board 230 is viewed along the first direction D1, the first through hole 231 is provided at a position overlapping the flow path tube FP of the housing 250. When the first sealing member 220, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, and the housing 250 are combined, the flow path tube FP of the housing 250 penetrates the first through hole 231 of the circuit board 230 and is connected to the ink introduction port 221 of the first sealing member 220.

A pair of connector units Cn, cn are provided at both ends of the circuit substrate 230 in the third direction D3. With such a configuration, the distance from the connector unit Cn to each circuit on the circuit board 230 can be shortened as a whole. The one connector unit Cn includes one connector on each of one surface and the other surface of the circuit board 230. That is, the circuit board 230 includes four connectors.

A flexible flat cable 113 is connected to the connector unit Cn. The circuit board 230 is electrically connected to the control unit 110 (see fig. 1) via the flexible flat cable 113.

The actuator unit 240 includes a COF (Chip on Film) substrate 242, a fixing plate 241, and a piezoelectric body 243. The fixing plate 241 is fixed to a wall surface of the housing 250 that partitions the storage space 255. A driving circuit for driving the piezoelectric body 243 is provided on the COF substrate 242. An end portion of the COF substrate 242 on the first direction D1 side is connected to the piezoelectric body 243. An end portion of the COF substrate 242 on the second direction D2 side is inserted into the opening 233 of the circuit substrate 230 and connected to the connection terminal Ct of the circuit substrate 230.

The piezoelectric body 243 constitutes a passive element using the piezoelectric effect, that is, a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is driven in response to a drive signal from the control unit 110. The piezoelectric body 243 is fixed to the support plate of the vibration plate 260 such that the end on the first direction D1 side is a free end. The piezoelectric body 243 is fixed to the end of the fixing plate 241 on the side of the first direction D1 such that the end on the side of the second direction D2 is a fixed end.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 200 showing the vibration plate 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cap 290. The diaphragm 260 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member elongated in the X direction. The vibration plate 260 is disposed between the housing 250 and the flow path forming member 270. The diaphragm 260 functions as a wall surface that blocks an opening provided in the surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the side of the second direction D2. The vibration plate 260 is elastically deformed by the piezoelectric body 243 of the actuator unit 240. Thereby, ink is ejected from the pressure chamber of the flow path forming member 270 via the nozzle 282.

The diaphragm 260 is formed by laminating an elastic film made of an elastic member such as a resin film and a support plate made of a metal material such as stainless steel (SUS) for supporting the elastic film. The elastic membrane is supported by being bonded to the surface of the support plate on the-Z direction side.

The diaphragm 260 includes an ink inlet 261. The ink inlet 261 is a through hole penetrating the diaphragm 260 in the Z direction. The ink inlet 261 communicates with the flow path tube FP of the housing 250 and the third flow path 273 of the flow path forming member 270, so that ink supplied from the ink cartridge 117 flows into the third flow path 273.

The flow path forming member 270 is a plate-like member having an outer shape conforming to the outer shape of the diaphragm 260. The flow path forming member 270 is provided between the housing 250 (see fig. 3) and the nozzle plate 280. The flow path forming member 270 includes a third flow path 273. Although not shown, the flow path forming member 270 includes a pressure chamber. In the present embodiment, the flow path forming member 270 is formed of, for example, silicon (Si). The flow channel forming member 270 may be formed by laminating a plurality of substrates.

The nozzle plate 280 is a thin plate-like member having an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the diaphragm 260 and the flow path forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 is disposed on the first direction D1 side of the flow path forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 includes a plurality of nozzles 282 for ejecting liquid in the first direction D1. More specifically, the nozzle plate 280 includes ten nozzle rows 281, and each of the nozzle rows 281 is composed of a plurality of nozzles 282 aligned along the Y direction. The ten nozzle rows 281 are arranged in the X direction.

The nozzle 282 is a through hole penetrating the nozzle plate 280 in the Z direction. The ink in the pressure chamber of the flow path forming member 270 is ejected through the nozzle 282 with respect to the printing medium P. Each nozzle 282 is provided at a position corresponding to the pressure chamber of the flow passage forming member 270. The nozzle plate 280 functions as a wall surface that blocks an opening provided in the surface of the flow channel forming member 270 in the first direction D1 at a portion where the nozzle 282 is not provided. The nozzle plate 280 is formed of, for example, stainless steel (SUS), silicon (Si), or the like.

The case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280 are each fixed by an adhesive (see fig. 3 and 4). Specifically, the surface of the nozzle plate 280 on the side of the second direction D2 and the surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the side of the first direction D1 are bonded together by an adhesive. The surface of the flow path forming member 270 on the side of the second direction D2 and the surface of the diaphragm 260 on the side of the first direction D1 are bonded together by an adhesive. The surface of the vibration plate 260 on the second direction D2 side and the surface of the housing 250 on the first direction D1 side are bonded together by an adhesive. An adhesive may also be applied to each of the

structural members

250, 260, 270, and 280.

The cover 290 is a frame body that houses the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280. The cover 290 is provided with an opening that exposes a surface of the nozzle plate 280 on the first direction D1 side when the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, and the nozzle plate 280 are accommodated in the cover 290. Four through holes 291 into which screws 293, 294, 295, and 296 are inserted are provided in the cover 290. Cover 290 is secured to bracket 210 by

screws

293, 294, 295 and 296 with housing 250 and circuit substrate 230 therebetween.

The respective components of the liquid ejecting head 200 (see fig. 2 to 4) are laminated and coupled by four

screws

293, 294, 295, and 296. The four

screws

293, 294, 295 and 296 are, for example, all screws. In the present embodiment, the "full screw" refers to a screw in which a thread cut is made on a side surface of a portion of the screw other than the head.

Screws

293, 294, 295, and 296 are inserted into screw holes previously formed in the housing 250, and screw grooves are formed in the body portion 215 of the bracket 210 by being fastened by the screws, thereby coupling the bracket 210, the housing 250, and the cover 290. Specifically, the bracket 210, the housing 250, and the cover 290 are fixed such that the base surfaces of the

screws

293, 294, 295, and 296 receiving the load generated by the coupling abut on the periphery of the through hole 291 of the cover 290, and the housing 250 is sandwiched between the cover 290 and the bracket 210.

A3. Structure of the discharge passage in the main body:

fig. 5 is a plan view of the main body 215 (see fig. 2) of the bracket 210 viewed along the first direction D1. The surrounding wall W10 of the main body 215 includes a plurality of wall portions W11 to W18. More specifically, the surrounding wall W10 includes a first wall W11, a second wall W12, a third wall W13, a fourth wall W14, a fifth wall W15, a sixth wall W16, a seventh wall W17, and an eighth wall W18.

The first wall W11 is arranged along the third direction D3. The second wall W12 is disposed along the third direction D3 so as to face the first wall W11 with the second flow path 219 interposed therebetween. The third wall portion W13 is arranged along the fourth direction D4. The fourth wall W14 is disposed along the fourth direction D4 so as to face the third wall W13 with the second flow path 219 interposed therebetween. The first to fourth wall portions W11 to W14 form four sides of the substantially rectangular outer shape of the main body 215 when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1.

The fifth wall W15 is a wall connecting the first wall W11 and the third wall W13. The fifth wall portion W15 is located on the-Y direction side with respect to the first wall portion W11. The fifth wall portion W15 is located on the-X direction side with respect to the third wall portion W13. The sixth wall portion W16 is a wall portion connecting the second wall portion W12 and the fourth wall portion W14. The sixth wall W16 is located on the +y direction side with respect to the second wall W12. The sixth wall W16 is located on the +x direction side with respect to the fourth wall W14.

The seventh wall portion W17 is a wall portion connecting the second wall portion W12 and the third wall portion W13. The seventh wall portion W17 is located on the +y direction side with respect to the second wall portion W12. The seventh wall portion W17 is located on the-X direction side with respect to the third wall portion W13. The eighth wall portion W18 is a wall portion connecting the first wall portion W11 and the fourth wall portion W14. The eighth wall portion W18 is located on the-Y direction side with respect to the first wall portion W11. The eighth wall W18 is located on the +x direction side with respect to the fourth wall W14.

As described above, the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 constituting the surrounding wall W10 include wall portions provided at mutually different positions in the fourth direction D4. The first wall W11 is located outermost in the fourth direction D4 among the plurality of wall W11 to W18, that is, on the side of the fourth direction D4.

A first opening Op11 is provided in the surface Ts of the main body 215, and the first opening Op11 is a part of the discharge passage Ex1 and opens in the second direction D2 (see the lower center portion in fig. 5). The first opening Op11 is provided in the vicinity of the first wall portion W11 when the main body portion 215 is viewed along the first direction D1. The inner face of the first wall portion W11 is a plane within a predetermined range including the first opening Op 11. Since the floor surface Ts is also planar, the connection portion between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts is linear. In a section parallel to the ZY plane, the connection portion of the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts constitutes a concave corner where the two planes are connected at 90 °. The connection portion between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts is also referred to as a "boundary" between the first wall portion W11 and the floor surface Ts.

With such a configuration, the liquid present at the junction between the surface Ts of the main body 215 on the side of the second direction D2 and the first wall W11 and the ink moving toward the junction can be held at the boundary between the surface Ts and the first wall W11 by capillary force and guided to the discharge passage Ex1 so as to be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body 215 via the discharge passage Ex 1. Therefore, the possibility that the ink leaking from the connection portion between the ink cartridge 117 and the ink supply needle 205 of the holder 210 leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall W10, and thus the occurrence of a failure can be reduced.

The first wall W11 is located outermost in the fourth direction D4 among the plurality of wall W11 to W18, that is, on the side of the fourth direction D4. Therefore, when the liquid ejecting head 200 is tilted toward the direction including the rotational component centered on the direction parallel to the third direction D3, the liquid flows toward the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W11. As a result, according to the main body 215 of the present embodiment, such ink can be introduced into the first opening Op11 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215.

Fig. 6 is a plan view (see fig. 2) showing a state in which the filter 213 and the seal 211 are overlapped with the body 215 of the holder 210. When the main body 215, the filter 213, and the seal 211 are overlapped, the first opening Op11 is provided at a position not overlapping the filter 213 and the seal 211 (refer to the lower center portion of fig. 6).

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which the mounting portion 214 is further overlapped with the sub-assembly shown in fig. 6 (see fig. 2). When the mounting portion 214, the main body portion 215, the filter 213, and the seal 211 are overlapped, the first opening Op11 is provided at a position not overlapping the mounting portion 214 (refer to the lower center portion of fig. 7).

When the main body 215 and the mounting portion 214 are viewed along the first direction D1, the minimum distance C12 between the second wall W12 and the mounting portion 214, the minimum distance C13 between the third wall W13 and the mounting portion 214, and the minimum distance C14 between the fourth wall W14 and the mounting portion 214 of the main body 215 are all 0.5mm. When the main body 215 and the mounting portion 214 are viewed along the first direction D1, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 is 10mm. The minimum distance between the main body 215 and the mounting portion 214 in the second direction D2 is 0.5mm.

With such a configuration, when the liquid ejecting head 200 is inclined toward the second wall W12 in a direction lower than the first wall W11, ink is held between the second wall W12 and the mounting portion 214 (see C12 in fig. 7). When the liquid ejecting head 200 is inclined toward the third wall W13 in a direction lower than the fourth wall W14, ink is held between the third wall W13 and the mounting portion 214 (see C13 in fig. 7). When the liquid ejecting head 200 is inclined downward toward the fourth wall W14 from the third wall W13, ink is held between the fourth wall W14 and the mounting portion 214 (see C14 in fig. 7). As a result, in those cases, the possibility of ink adhering to other members can be reduced.

On the other hand, when the liquid ejecting head 200 is inclined toward the first wall portion W11 in a direction lower than the second wall portion W12, the liquid is not held between the first wall portion W11 and the mounting portion 214, but can be discharged from the first opening Op11 of the bottom plate surface Ts to a predetermined portion of the outside.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the diaphragm 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are stacked (see fig. 3 and 4). In a state where these are combined, the flow path tube FP of the housing 250 penetrates the first through hole 231 of the circuit substrate 230.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the holder 210, the circuit board 230, the actuator unit 240, the case 250, the vibration plate 260, the flow path forming member 270, the nozzle plate 280, and the cover 290 are stacked on the carriage 116 (see fig. 2 to 4). In fig. 9, the circuit board 230 is not shown because it is located behind the mounting portion 214. On the other hand, in fig. 9, first wall portion W11 to fourth wall portion W14 constituting the substantially rectangular outer shape of main body portion 215 are shown around mounting portion 214. That is, the outer shape of the main body 215 is substantially rectangular including the circuit board 230.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the liquid ejecting head 200 mounted on the carriage 116 when viewed along the second direction D2. In fig. 10, ten nozzle rows 281 are shown on the surface of the nozzle plate 280 surrounded by the cover 290 on the first direction D1 side.

In fig. 10, an opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 of the main body 215 of the holder 210 at an end opposite to the first opening Op11 (refer to fig. 5) is shown. On the bottom surface of the carriage 116, a second opening Opc communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 is provided. By adopting such a configuration, the ink can be discharged to the outside of the carriage 116 through the second opening Opc.

When the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the opening Op12 is provided in the main body 215 at a position that does not overlap the circuit board 230 (see fig. 8 to 10). In fig. 10, the outline shape of the range occupied by the circuit board 230 is indicated by a broken line. With such a configuration, the possibility of ink discharged from the discharge path Ex1 in the first direction D1 adhering to the circuit board 230 can be reduced.

When the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the opening Op12 is disposed outside the range where the circuit board 230 is located in the fourth direction D4, and is disposed between the pair of connector units Cn and Cn in the third direction D3, which is the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 230 (see fig. 8 to 10). With such a configuration, the ink discharged from the discharge passage Ex1 can be less likely to adhere to one of the connector units Cn and Cn.

The platen 115 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is provided with an ink absorbing portion Ab1, and when the carriage 116 is present in at least a part of the range of reciprocal movement in the main scanning direction, the ink absorbing portion Ab1 is located on the first direction D1 side with respect to the second opening Opc, and absorbs the liquid discharged from the second opening Opc (see fig. 1). By adopting such a configuration, ink discharged from the main body 215 and discharged outside the carriage 116 can be recovered without adhering to other structures.

The second opening Opc in the present embodiment is a large opening exposing the opening Op12 and the nozzle plate 280 when the carriage 116 is viewed in the second direction D2. However, the second opening Op c may be a smaller opening that exposes the opening Op12 without exposing the nozzle plate 280. However, in this case, a large opening for exposing the nozzle plate 280 needs to be separately prepared.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 and the first wall W11 in the main body 215 (see the lower center portion in fig. 5). Fig. 11 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of each part of the main body 215.

The first opening Op11 has an outer shape of a circle of diameter Ld when the main body 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. More specifically, ld is 1.0mm. The first wall portion W11 has a concave portion W11r in which an inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W11 is recessed toward an outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W11. In other words, the recess W11r is a portion (refer to the lower center portion in fig. 5) of the first wall W11 where the thickness in the fourth direction D4 is reduced. When the main body 215 of the bracket 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the concave portion W11r has an arc shape. When the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the main body 215 is configured such that a straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r overlaps the first opening Op 11. In the embodiment in which the first wall portion includes the linear portions on both sides of the recess as in the present embodiment, the end of the recess is a connecting portion between the recess and the linear portion. The length of the straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r is shorter than the length of the straight line portion of the first wall portion provided on both sides of the recess.

By adopting such a structure, the ink existing at the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W11 can be introduced into the first opening Op11 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215. In fig. 11, the connection between the surface Ts and the first wall W11 is represented by an arc (see W11 r) indicating the outer edge of the first wall W11 and straight lines on both sides thereof.

The shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the recess W11r and the edge of the first opening Op11 is 0.2mm. By adopting such a structure, the ink existing at the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W11 can be introduced into the first opening Op11 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215.

The minimum distance Lop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall W11 is 1/5 of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op11, which is the largest line segment configurable within the first opening Op 11. The shape and size of the first opening Op11 are determined in consideration of the viscosity of the ink, the wettability of the ink with the material of the main body portion 215, and the like. Therefore, by setting the minimum distance Lop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall W11 to such a size, the ink existing at the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W11 and the ink moving toward the connection portion can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body 215 through the discharge passage Ex 1. Therefore, the possibility that the ink leaking from the connection portion between the ink cartridge 117 and the ink supply needle 205 of the holder 210 leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall W10, and thus the occurrence of a failure can be reduced.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a part of the cavity Cv of the mold when the first opening Op11 and the first wall W11 of the discharge passage Ex1 in the main body 215 are configured by the mold. Fig. 12 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11.

A pin Pn for forming a straight runner, i.e., a discharge passage Ex1 penetrating the body 215 in the first direction D1 is mounted in the cavity Cv of the mold. The pin Pn position in the state of being mounted in the metal mold is indicated by a broken line. The pin Pn mounted in the metal mold protrudes from the upper surface in fig. 12 of the cavity Cv of the metal mold, and the protruding portion has the function of forming the discharge passage Ex1. In addition, actually, a cavity for constituting the bottom of the main body 215 and the first wall W11 is disposed on the right side of a part of the cavity Cv shown in fig. 12 and on the upper side thereof.

By configuring the first opening Op11 and the first wall portion W11 of the discharge passage Ex1 as shown in fig. 11, it is not necessary to mount the pin Pn in the mold so as to contact the end of the mold. Therefore, it is difficult to damage the pin Pn and the mold when the pin Pn is mounted in the mold. As a result, the main body 215 can be easily manufactured by casting with a mold.

The body 215 in the present embodiment is also referred to as a "first flow path member". The ink supply needle 205 is also referred to as a "supply needle" or a "liquid introduction portion". The mounting portion 214 is also referred to as a "second flow path member". The ink cartridge 117 is also referred to as a "liquid storage portion". The conveying motor 119 is also referred to as a "conveying portion".

A4. Modification of the first opening and the first wall portion of the discharge passage:

hereinafter, a modified example of the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 and the first wall portion W11 in the main body portion 215 in the above-described first embodiment shown in fig. 11 will be described. In the following modification, points other than the structures of the first opening and the first wall portion of the discharge passage are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(1) Modification 1:

fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op21 of the discharge passage Ex2 and the first wall W21 in the main body 215 in modification 1. The position of the first opening Op21 of the discharge passage Ex2 on the main body portion 215 is substantially the same as the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 on the main body portion 215 shown at the lower-stage center portion of fig. 5. Fig. 13 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of each part of the main body 215.

The first opening Op21 has an outer shape of a circle of diameter Ld when the main body 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. The first wall W21 is arranged linearly along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W21 does not have the recess W11r as shown in fig. 11. When the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the edge of the first opening Op21 and the first wall W21 come into contact.

As such, the ink existing at the connection portion of the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W21 can also be introduced into the first opening Op21 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215. In addition, the connection portion of the surface Ts and the first wall portion W21 is represented by a straight line indicating the outer edge of the first wall portion W21 in fig. 13.

(2) Modification 2:

fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op31 of the discharge passage Ex3 and the first wall W31 in the main body 215 in modification 2. The position of the first opening Op31 of the discharge passage Ex3 on the main body portion 215 is substantially the same as the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 on the main body portion 215 shown at the lower-stage center portion of fig. 5. Fig. 14 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of each part of the main body 215.

The first opening Op31 has an outer shape of a semicircle of a diameter Ld when the main body 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. The first wall W31 is arranged linearly along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W31 does not have the recess W11r shown in fig. 11. In modification 2, the boundary line between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31 divides a part of the edge of the first opening Op 31. More specifically, when the main body 215 of the bracket 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, the straight portion of the first opening Op31 having a semicircular shape coincides with the inner surface of the first wall W31.

By adopting such a structure, the ink adhering to the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W31 can be introduced into the first opening Op31 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215. In modification 2, the surface Ts includes a virtual plane that is located on an extension line of the surface Ts accompanied by the solid body and that blocks the first opening Op31 when referred to as "a connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall W31". As a result, the boundary line, which is the connecting portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W31, is represented by a straight line indicating the outer edge of the first wall portion W31 in fig. 14.

(3) Modification 3:

fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op41 of the discharge passage Ex4 and the first wall W41 in the main body 215 in modification 3. The position of the first opening Op41 of the discharge passage Ex4 on the main body portion 215 is substantially the same as the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 on the main body portion 215 shown at the lower-stage center portion of fig. 5. Fig. 15 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of each part of the main body 215.

The first opening Op41 has an outer shape of a circle of diameter Ld when the main body 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. The first wall W41 is arranged along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W41 has a concave portion W41r in which an inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W41 is recessed toward an outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W41.

In modification 3, the main body 215 is configured such that a straight line SL4 connecting both ends of the recess W41r overlaps the first opening Op41 when viewed in the first direction D1. Further, a boundary line between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W41 divides a part of the edge of the first opening Op 41. More specifically, when the main body 215 of the bracket 210 is viewed along the first direction D1, a portion of the circular arc having the circular first opening Op41 coincides with the inner surface of the recess W41r of the first wall W41.

As such a structure, the ink adhering to the connection portion between the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W41 can be introduced into the first opening Op41 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215. In modification 3, when referred to as "a connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W41", the surface Ts includes a virtual plane that is located on an extension line of the surface Ts accompanied by a solid body and blocks the first opening Op 41. As a result, the boundary line, which is the connecting portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W41, is represented by a circular arc (see W41 r) indicating the outer edge of the first wall portion W41 and straight lines on both sides thereof in fig. 15.

(4) Modification 4:

fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the first opening Op51 of the discharge passage Ex5 and the first wall W51 in the main body 215 in modification 4. The position of the first opening Op51 of the discharge passage Ex5 on the main body portion 215 is substantially the same as the first opening Op11 of the discharge passage Ex1 on the main body portion 215 shown at the lower-stage center portion of fig. 5. Fig. 16 is an explanatory view for facilitating technical understanding, and is not a view accurately showing the dimensions of each part of the main body 215.

The first opening Op51 has an outer shape of a circle of diameter Ld when the main body 215 of the holder 210 is viewed along the first direction D1. The first wall W51 is arranged along the third direction D3. The first wall portion W51 has a concave portion W51r in which an inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion W51 is recessed toward an outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion W51.

In modification 4, when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the first opening Op51 exceeds the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r and is not present inside the recess W51 r. More specifically, when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the edge of the first opening Op51 contacts the straight line SL5 connecting the both ends of the recess W51 r.

As such a structure, the main body 215 can be easily manufactured by casting using a mold (see fig. 12).

In modification 4, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is 0.4mm. The distance Lop is 40% of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op51, which is the largest line segment that can be disposed within the first opening Op 51. As such a structure, the ink existing at the connection portion of the surface Ts of the main body 215 and the first wall W51 can be introduced into the first opening Op51 to be discharged to the outside of the main body 215. In fig. 16, the connection portion between the surface Ts and the first wall portion W51 is represented by an arc (see W51 r) indicating the outer edge of the first wall portion W51 and straight lines on both sides thereof.

A5. Modification of ink absorbing portion:

Hereinafter, a modification of the ink absorbing portion Ab1 in the first embodiment (see fig. 1) will be described. In the following modification, points other than the structure of the ink absorbing portion are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(1) Modification 1:

in modification 1, an ink absorbing portion Ab2 is provided on the carriage 116 instead of the ink absorbing portion Ab1 provided on the platen 115 in the first embodiment. More specifically, the carriage 116 is provided with an ink absorbing portion Ab2 having a porous member at a portion indicated by a broken line in fig. 10. The porous member of the ink absorbing portion Ab2 absorbs the ink discharged from the discharge passage Ex 1. As such a structure, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head 200 can be recovered by the porous member.

(2) Modification 2:

in modification 2, the ink absorbing portion Ab1 provided on the platen 115 in the first embodiment is not provided. In modification 2, when the carriage 116 is provided at least a part of the range of reciprocal movement in the main scanning direction when the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is viewed in the first direction D1, the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 and the second opening Op c of the carriage 116 are arranged at positions overlapping the trajectory of the printing medium P conveyed by the conveying motor 119. The "trajectory of the printing medium P to be transported" refers to an area that the printing medium P may occupy by being transported.

By such a configuration, the ink discharged from the second opening Opc adheres to the printing medium P on the conveyance path. As a result, the user can be promptly notified of ink leakage.

The position overlapping the trajectory of the printing medium P conveyed by the conveying motor 119 may be a position overlapping a roller provided in the platen 115 and conveying the printing medium. In such a manner, the ink adhering to the roller is transferred to the printing medium, and thus the user can notice the ink leakage.

B. Second embodiment:

fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus 100a including a liquid ejecting head 200a according to the second embodiment. The liquid ejecting apparatus 100a is different from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that a case 112a is provided in place of the case 112, an ink tank 150 and a pressure regulating valve 50 are provided in place of the ink cartridge 117, and a hose 160 is added. The liquid ejecting head 200a is different from the liquid ejecting head 200 in the first embodiment in that the liquid ejecting head includes a holder 210a having ink supply pins 205 instead of the holder 210. Since other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In fig. 17, the internal structure of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a is shown by a broken line. In fig. 17, a state in which ink can be injected into the ink tank 150 is shown

The case 112a has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The case 112a includes a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface, and the case 112a is formed of six surfaces as a housing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 a.

The ink tank 150 stores ink as a liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200 a. The ink tank 150 is housed in a housing mechanism 140 provided at a right portion of the front surface of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 a. The housing mechanism 140 includes a plate-like case 142 that forms a part of the front surface of the case 112a. The case 142 is rectangular in shape, and a hinge 141 is provided at a lower portion thereof, the hinge 141 being for fixing the case 142 to the case 112a and being rotatable in the arrow mark YR direction with the lower portion as a fulcrum. The ink tank 150 is removably mounted to the housing 142. The storage mechanism 140 is stored in the case 112a in a state where the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a is in use, and when a user injects ink into the ink tank 150, the user rotates the upper portion of the case 142 in the arrow YR direction to expose the ink tank 150 to the outside of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 a. The ink tank 150 may be provided outside the case 112a, instead of being housed inside the case 112a.

The liquid ejecting apparatus 100a of the second embodiment includes four ink tanks 150. Each ink tank 150 accommodates ink of a different color. The ink tanks 150 are arranged in the X direction. The ink tank 150 includes: a liquid inlet 153 for injecting ink into the interior; an air opening 151 for introducing air into the interior as ink is consumed; a liquid delivery unit 155 connected to the hose 160 and delivering ink toward the liquid ejecting head 200 a. In addition, the ink tank 150 may be provided with no liquid inlet 153.

The hose 160 functions as a supply flow path for supplying ink in the ink tank 150 to the liquid ejecting head 200 a. The ink tank 150 is connected to the pressure regulating valve 50 provided between the bracket 210a and the ink tank 150 by a hose 160. The pressure regulating valves 50 are provided in four corresponding to the ink tanks 150 for storing the inks of the respective colors. The detailed structure of the pressure regulating valve 50 will be described later. The hose 160 is formed of a flexible member such as synthetic rubber.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of the pressure regulating valve. Fig. 18 shows a cross section of the hose 160, the pressure regulating valve 50, and the bracket 210a cut in the X-Z plane. In fig. 18, a portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided is shown enlarged, and a structure other than the portion is not shown. In the present embodiment, since the plurality of pressure control valves 50 have substantially the same structure, the description will be focused on any one of the pressure control valves 50.

The pressure regulating valve 50 is provided between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205, and regulates the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200a. The pressure regulating valve 50 temporarily stores ink supplied from the ink tank 150 via the hose 160, and the ink temporarily stored in the pressure regulating valve 50 is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200a. The pressure regulating valve 50 is fixed by the bracket 210a and the carriage 116. The pressure control valve 50 may be fixed only by the bracket 210 a. Although not shown in fig. 18, a pressure feed unit for feeding ink in the ink tank 150 toward the liquid ejecting head 200a is provided in the middle of the ink tank 150 or the hose 160 disposed upstream of the pressure control valve 50. Examples of the pressure-feed means include a pressing means for pressing the ink tank 150 from the outside, a pressurizing pump, and the like. Further, a water level pressure difference generated by adjusting the relative position of the liquid ejecting head 200a and the ink tank 150 in the gravity direction may be used as the pressure feed means.

The holder 210a is provided with an ink supply needle 205 (see fig. 2) on the filter 213. The ink supply needle 205 is inserted into the pressure regulating valve 50. The ink supplied from the pressure regulating valve 50 passes through the inside of the ink supply needle 205, and after foreign matter is removed in the filter 213, is supplied to the nozzle 282.

The pressure regulating valve 50 is provided midway in a flow path through which ink flows, and is configured by a valve that opens and closes the flow path. The pressure regulating valve 50 includes a housing 51 and a valve body 55 provided in the housing 51.

A main chamber 511 and a sub-chamber 512 are provided in the housing 51, the main chamber 511 communicates with the ink tank 150 via a hose 160, and ink is supplied from the ink tank 150, and the sub-chamber 512 communicates with the second flow path 219 of the holder 210 a. The main chamber 511 and the sub-chamber 512 are partitioned by a partition wall 513. The main chamber 511 and the sub-chamber 512 communicate with each other via a communication flow passage 514 provided through a partition wall 513.

The main chamber 511 is formed by closing a concave portion formed on one surface of the housing 51 by a cover member 515. The main chamber 511 is connected to the hose 160 via an inflow passage 516 provided on the housing 51. The sub-chamber 512 has a concave shape that opens on the side of the housing 51 opposite to the main chamber 511. A flexible film 517 is adhered to the surface of the sub-chamber 512 where the opening is formed, and the opening of the sub-chamber 512 is closed by the film 517. Examples of the material of the film 517 include a high-density polyethylene film, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the like. An end of the outflow passage 518 communicates with the sub-chamber 512, and a sealing member 519 is provided at the other end of the outflow passage 518 on the opposite side from the end communicating with the sub-chamber 512. The ink supply needle 205 described above is inserted into the sealing member 519 and connected to the outflow passage 518.

The portion of the film 517 that constitutes a part of the wall surface of the sub-chamber 512 becomes a diaphragm 517a. A pressure receiving plate 520 is provided on the surface of the diaphragm 517a on the side of the sub-chamber 512. The pressure receiving plate 520 has a disk shape having a smaller outer shape than the diaphragm 517a. The pressure receiving plate 520 is provided so as to prevent the valve body 55 that opens and closes the communication flow passage 514 from directly abutting the film 517. As the pressure receiving plate 520, for example, a material having higher rigidity than the film 517, such as a resin or a metal, can be used.

The case 51 is formed by molding a resin material having higher rigidity than the film 517, for example. A valve seat 52 against which the valve body 55 abuts is provided around the opening of the partition 513 on the main chamber 511 side. A valve body 55 is inserted through the communication flow passage 514. The valve body 55 includes a valve body main body 550 and an abutment member 560. The valve body 550 includes a shaft portion 551 inserted into the communication flow passage 514, and a flange portion 552 provided at an end portion within the main chamber 511 of the shaft portion 551.

The shaft 551 has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the communication flow passage 514. One end of the shaft 551, which is disposed in the sub-chamber 512, is in contact with the central portion of the pressure receiving plate 520. The other end portion of the shaft portion 551 opposite to the end portion abutting against the pressure receiving plate 520 is disposed in the main chamber 511, and is formed integrally with the flange portion 552. The valve body 550 is movable in the +x direction and the-X direction.

The flange 552 is formed of a circular plate-like member. An abutment member 560 is fixed to the flange 552. The abutment member 560 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer, and has an annular shape that is continuously provided throughout the periphery of the shaft portion 551. A spring 56 is provided between the flange 552 and the cover member 515 dividing the main chamber 511, and the valve body 55 is biased in the +x direction by the biasing force of the spring 56. That is, the flange 552 functions as a spring support against which one end of the spring 56 abuts. The flange 552 is biased by the spring 56, so that the abutment member 560 abuts against the valve seat 52, and the communication flow passage 514 is blocked, that is, the pressure regulating valve 50 is closed.

When the ink in the sub-chamber 512 is caused to flow downstream, the pressure in the sub-chamber 512 is reduced to a negative pressure compared with the atmospheric pressure, the diaphragm 517a is moved in the-X direction, and the pressure receiving plate 520 presses the valve body 55 against the urging force of the spring 56, so that a gap is generated between the abutment member 560 of the valve body 55 and the valve seat 52, and the communication flow passage 514 is opened, that is, the pressure regulating valve 50 is opened. When the ink is supplied from the main chamber 511 into the sub-chamber 512 by opening the pressure regulating valve 50, the pressure in the sub-chamber 512 is reduced, and the diaphragm 517a returns to the original position by the biasing force of the spring 56, so that the communication passage 514 is blocked by the valve body 55, and the pressure regulating valve 50 is closed. In this way, the pressure regulating valve 50 can regulate the pressure of the ink supplied from the ink tank 150 to the liquid ejecting head 200 a.

According to the liquid ejecting head 200a of the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

Further, since the pressure regulating valve 50 for regulating the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200a is provided between the ink tank 150 and the holder 210a, the supply of the ink from the ink tank 150 to the liquid ejecting head 200a can be stabilized.

In such a case, when the liquid ejecting head 200a is detached from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a, ink may leak between the hose 160 and the pressure control valve 50 or between the pressure control valve 50 and the ink supply needle 205. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body 215 via the discharge passage Ex 1.

The hose 160 in this embodiment is also referred to as a "supply flow path". The ink tank 150 is also referred to as a "liquid reservoir".

C. Other embodiment 1 of the second embodiment:

the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the other embodiment 1 of the second embodiment is different from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment in that a damper 170 is provided in place of the pressure regulating valve 50. Since other structures are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view showing a detailed structure of the damper 170. In fig. 19, a cross section is shown when the damper 170 is cut in the X-Z plane. In fig. 19, a portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided is shown enlarged, and a structure other than the portion is not shown.

As shown in fig. 19, the damper 170 is provided between the hose 160 and the bracket 210a, and is fixed to the bracket 210 a. The damper 170 may also be expressed as being disposed between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205. The damper 170 absorbs pressure fluctuation of the ink caused by the movement of the carriage 116. The damper 170 includes a housing 171 and a flexible membrane 173. The case 171 is formed of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The film 173 is formed of a film member made of, for example, a high-density polyethylene film or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The casing 171 is provided with an inflow port 174, an outflow port 175, and a damper chamber 172. The damper chamber 172 is partitioned by covering a concave-shaped space recessed in the-X direction provided in the casing 171 from the +x direction side with a film 173. That is, the damper chamber 172 is provided between the ink tank 150 and the ink supply needle 205. The inflow port 174 is a through hole penetrating the outer surface of the casing 171 in the +x direction. The inflow port 174 communicates the hose 160 with the damper chamber 172. The outflow port 175 is a through hole penetrating the outer surface of the casing 171 in the-Z direction. The inner diameter of the outflow port 175 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ink supply needle 205, and the damper chamber 172 communicates with the ink supply needle 205 by inserting the ink supply needle 205 into the outflow port 175.

As described above, the ink supplied from the ink tank 150 is supplied to the damper chamber 172 via the hose 160. The ink supplied to the damper chamber 172 is supplied to the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a via the ink supply needle 205. Since a part of the wall surface dividing the damping chamber 172 is constituted by the flexible film 173, the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200a can be absorbed by the displacement of the film 173.

According to the other embodiment 1 of the second embodiment described above, since the liquid ejecting head includes the damper chamber 172 between the ink tank 150 and the holder 210a, and the damper chamber 172 has the flexible membrane 173, pressure fluctuation in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head can be alleviated.

In such a manner, when the liquid ejecting head 200a is detached from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a, ink may leak between the hose 160 and the damper 170 or between the damper 170 and the ink supply needle 205. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body 215 via the discharge passage Ex 1.

D. Other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment:

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment differs from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment in that the pressure regulating valve 50 is omitted. Since other structures are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the structures of a hose 160, an ink supply needle 205, and a holder 210a in other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment. In fig. 20, a cross section is shown when the hose 160 and the bracket 210a are cut in the X-Z plane. In fig. 20, a portion of the holder 210a where the ink supply needle 205 is provided is shown enlarged, and a structure other than the portion is not shown.

In other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment, the hose 160 functions as a supply flow path for supplying ink in the ink tank 150 to the ink supply needle 205 of the liquid ejecting head 200 a. As shown in fig. 20, the ink supply needle 205 is inserted into the hose 160, so that the hose 160 is fitted with the ink supply needle 205. That is, the hose 160 and the ink supply needle 205 are directly connected. Accordingly, the ink tank 150 and the second flow path 219 of the bracket 210a are connected via the hose 160.

According to the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment described above, since the hose 160 serving as the supply flow path for supplying the ink in the ink tank 150 to the second flow path 219 of the holder 210a is provided, the ink in the ink tank 150 can be supplied to the holder 210a.

Further, since the holder 210a has the ink supply needle 205 for introducing the ink supplied from the hose 160 into the second flow path 219, the hose 160 and the second flow path 219 can be connected. Therefore, ink can be supplied from the ink tank 150 to the liquid ejecting head.

In such a manner, when the liquid ejecting head 200a is detached from the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a, ink may leak between the flexible tube 160 and the ink supply needle 205. However, by applying the technique of the present disclosure, the leaked ink can be discharged to a predetermined portion outside the main body 215 via the discharge passage Ex 1.

E. Other modes:

E1. other modes 1:

(1) In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 117 and the ink tank 150 store ink such that the liquid ink and air are in contact with each other mainly at one interface, i.e., the liquid surface, in the container. However, the liquid storage portion that stores the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head may hold the liquid in the porous member. In such a manner, the liquid is supplied from the liquid storage portion to the liquid ejecting head without passing through the ink supply needle 205 (see fig. 2). For example, in the liquid ejecting head of the liquid ejecting apparatus of this embodiment, a filter is provided at the tip of the cylindrical portion inserted into the liquid storage portion (see 213 in fig. 2). The liquid held in the liquid storage portion is supplied to the liquid ejecting head via the filter. The liquid ejecting head of this type is referred to as a "chimney type".

(2) In the above embodiment, the discharge passage Ex1 is a through hole (see fig. 5 to 7, 9, and 10) that linearly penetrates the body 215 along the first direction D1. However, the discharge passage for discharging the liquid from the surface Ts to the outside of the main body 215 may be a flow passage curved midway.

(3) In the first embodiment, the platen 115 is provided with the ink absorbing portion Ab1 (see fig. 1) along the main scanning direction X. However, a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge passage Ex1 may be provided at a position corresponding to the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 and the second opening Opc of the carriage 116 when the carriage 116 is at the standby position within the range of the main scanning direction X in which the carriage 116 is movable. In such a mode, the ink absorbing portion may not be provided at other portions.

(4) In the first embodiment, the first opening Op11 has an outer shape of a circle of diameter Ld (see fig. 11). However, the shape of the first opening is not limited to a circular shape, and may be any shape such as a semicircle, an ellipse, a polygon, or other shapes as shown in fig. 14. For example, in the case where the shape of the first opening is rectangular, the largest line segment that can be disposed in the first opening Op11 is a diagonal line of the rectangle. In the case where the shape of the first opening is a triangle, the largest line segment configurable within the first opening Op11 is the longest side of the three sides of the triangle.

(5) In the above embodiment, one connector unit Cn is provided with one connector on each of one surface and the other surface of the circuit board 230 (see fig. 3 and 8). The circuit board 230 includes four connectors. However, one connector unit Cn may also be one connector. However, it is preferable that the circuit board has connectors at both ends of the circuit board 230 in the third direction D3, respectively.

(6) In the first embodiment, the minimum distance Lop between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the first wall W11 is 1/5 of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op11 (see fig. 11), which is the largest line segment that can be placed in the first opening Op 11. In modification 4 of the first embodiment, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is 40% of the length Ld of the diameter of the first opening Op51 (see fig. 16), which is the largest line segment that can be disposed in the first opening Op 51. However, the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion may be set to other values such as 1/3, 2/5 of the length of the largest line segment that can be disposed in the first opening. For example, as shown in fig. 13 to 15, the edge of the first opening may be in contact with the first wall portion. However, it is preferable that the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall portion is 1/2 or less of the length of the largest line segment that can be disposed in the first opening.

(7) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid ejected from the nozzles 282 may be other liquid than ink. For example, it is also possible to:

(i) Color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays;

(ii) An electrode material used for forming electrodes of organic EL (Electro Luminescence: electroluminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Display, FED) and the like;

(iii) A liquid containing a biological organic substance used for manufacturing a biochip;

(iv) A sample as a precision pipette;

(v) Lubricating oil;

(vi) A resin liquid;

(vii) A transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid for forming a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used for an optical communication element or the like;

(viii) A liquid for spraying an etching liquid such as an acid or an alkali for etching a substrate or the like;

(ix) Any other minute amount of droplets.

The term "liquid droplet" refers to a state of liquid ejected from the

liquid ejecting apparatuses

100 and 100a, and includes a state in which a tail is pulled out after being in a granular, tear-like or thread-like form. The "liquid" here may be any material that can be consumed by the

liquid ejecting apparatuses

100 and 100 a. For example, the "liquid" may be a material in a state where the substance is in a liquid phase, and a material in a liquid state where the substance is in a relatively high or low viscosity, and a material in a liquid state such as a sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (molten metals) may be included in the "liquid". In addition, not only a liquid as one state of a substance, but also a substance or the like in which particles of a functional material composed of a solid substance such as a color material or metal particles are dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent is included in the "liquid". As a representative example of the liquid, ink, liquid crystal, or the like can be given. The ink herein means an ink including general aqueous ink, oily ink, and various liquid compositions such as gel ink and hot melt ink. In these configurations, the same effects as those of the respective embodiments can be achieved.

(8) In the first embodiment, the surrounding wall W10 is constituted by a plurality of wall portions W11 to W18. However, the surrounding wall W10 may be constituted by only the wall portions W11 to W14 without providing the wall portions W15 to W18.

E2. Other modes 2:

(1) In the first embodiment, the body 215 as the first flow path member is configured such that the straight line SL1 connecting both ends of the recess W11r overlaps the first opening Op11 (see fig. 11). However, the first flow path member may be configured so that a straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion does not overlap the first opening. That is, the first opening may be provided at a position separated from a straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion. In the present specification, the term "the straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion overlaps the first opening" includes a case where the straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion contacts the outer edge of the first opening (see fig. 16).

(2) In the first embodiment, the outer shape of the recess W11r is an arc (see fig. 11). However, the shape of the recess W11r may be any shape such as an ellipse, a polygon, or other shapes. However, the shape of the recess W11r is preferably a shape having a predetermined distance from the shape of the first opening. Specifically, the shape of the recess W11r is preferably similar to a part of the shape of the first opening.

E3. Other modes 3:

in modification 4 of the first embodiment, the first opening Op51 exceeds the straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r and is not present inside the recess W51r (see fig. 16). However, the first opening Op51 may be located inside the recess W51r beyond a straight line SL5 connecting both ends of the recess W51r (see fig. 11 and 15).

E4. Other modes 4:

in the first embodiment described above, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion W11r and the edge of the first opening Op11 is 0.2mm. In modification 4 of the first embodiment, the shortest distance Lop between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion W51r and the edge of the first opening Op51 is 0.4mm. However, the shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion and the edge of the first opening may be other dimensions such as 0.6mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.3mm, and the like.

E5. Other modes 5:

in modification 2 of the first embodiment, the boundary line between the surface Ts and the first wall W31 divides a part of the edge of the first opening Op31 (see fig. 14). However, the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion may be set so as not to divide a part of the edge of the first opening (see fig. 11 and 16). In the present specification, the term "the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion divides a part of the edge of the first opening" includes a mode in which the boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion is in contact with the edge of the first opening (see fig. 13).

E6. Other modes 6:

in the first embodiment, the first wall W11 is a wall located on the outermost side in the fourth direction D4, i.e., on the fourth direction D4 side, of the plurality of wall portions W11 to W18 (see fig. 5). However, the first wall portion may be a wall portion of the plurality of wall portions that is not located on the outermost side in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction. For example, the first opening Op11 may be provided at a position closer to one of the second wall W12 to the fourth wall W14 than the first wall W11. However, it is preferable that the first opening Op11 is provided at a position closer to the first wall portion W11 than the second wall portion W12 to the fourth wall portion W14.

E7. Other modes 7:

in the first embodiment, the opening Op12 is provided in the main body 215 at a position not overlapping the circuit board 230 when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1 (see fig. 8 to 10). However, an opening at an end of the discharge passage opposite to the first opening may also be provided at a position overlapping the circuit substrate.

E8. Other modes 8:

in the first embodiment, when the main body 215 is viewed along the first direction D1, the opening Op12 is disposed outside the range of the circuit board 230 in the fourth direction D4, and is disposed between the pair of connector units Cn and Cn in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 230, that is, in the third direction D3 (see fig. 8 to 10). However, the opening Op12 may also be arranged at the outer sides of the pair of connectors in the third direction.

E9. Other modes 9:

in the above embodiment, the mounting portion 214 including the ink supply needle 205 as the liquid introduction portion and the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member are separately configured (see fig. 2). However, the liquid introduction portion and the first flow path member may be integrally manufactured.

E10. Other modes 10:

(1) In the first embodiment, the minimum distance C12 between the second wall W12 and the mounting portion 214, the minimum distance C13 between the third wall W13 and the mounting portion 214, and the minimum distance C14 between the fourth wall W14 and the mounting portion 214 of the main body 215 are all 0.5mm (see fig. 7). However, these dimensions may be other dimensions such as 0.7mm and 1.0 mm. Further, these dimensions may be different from each other. However, these dimensions are preferably 0.7mm or less.

(2) In the first embodiment described above, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 is 10mm (see fig. 7). However, the minimum distance C11 between the edge of the first opening Op11 and the mounting portion 214 may be other sizes such as 3mm, 7mm, and 12 mm. However, it is preferable that the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the second flow path member is 5mm or more.

E11. Other modes 11:

in the first embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is described as including the liquid ejecting head 200 and the ink cartridge 117 (see fig. 1). However, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 can be manufactured and sold without the ink cartridge 117. In the second embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a is described as including the liquid ejecting head 200a and the ink tank 150 (see fig. 17). However, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a can be manufactured and sold without the ink tank 150.

E12. Other modes 12:

in the second embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a including the hose 160 that supplies the ink in the ink tank 150 to the liquid ejecting head 200a and functions as a supply flow path is described (see fig. 17). However, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be configured to have no supply flow path for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introducing portion of the liquid ejecting head, as in the first embodiment (see fig. 1).

E13. Other modes 13:

in the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment, the supply flow path is constituted by a hose 160 fitted to an ink supply needle 205 as a liquid introduction portion (see fig. 20). However, the supply flow passage may be partially constituted by a rigid pipe. In addition, as in the second embodiment and the other embodiment 1 of the second embodiment, the supply flow passage may be connected to a structure other than the liquid introduction portion such as a pressure control valve or a damper (see fig. 18 and 19).

E14. Other modes 14:

the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment includes the pressure regulating valve 50, and the pressure regulating valve 50 is provided between the ink tank 150 as the liquid storage portion and the ink supply needle 205 as the liquid introduction portion, and regulates the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head 200 a. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be configured to be not provided with a pressure regulating valve as in the other embodiments 1 and 2 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. For example, the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a may include an intermediate tank for temporarily storing ink instead of the pressure control valve 50.

E15. Other modes 15:

the liquid ejecting apparatus 100a according to the second embodiment includes a damper chamber 172, and the damper chamber 172 is provided between the ink tank 150 as the liquid storage portion and the ink supply needle 205 as the liquid introduction portion, and is provided with a flexible film 173. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be configured to have no damper chamber as in the first embodiment and the other embodiment 2 of the second embodiment.

E16. Other modes 16:

in modification 1 of the first embodiment, the ink absorbing portion Ab2 (see fig. 10) is provided in the carriage 116. However, as in the first embodiment, the carriage may not be provided with a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge passage (see fig. 1).

E17. Other modes 17:

(1) In the first embodiment described above, the second opening Opc (see fig. 10) communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 116. However, in a case where, for example, an ink absorbing portion that absorbs liquid discharged from the main body portion 215 as the first flow path member is provided in the carriage, the carriage may not be provided with a second opening that communicates with the opening of the discharge path.

(2) In the first embodiment described above, the second opening Opc (see fig. 10) communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 116. However, for example, it is also possible to adopt a manner in which the second opening Op c of the bottom surface of the carriage 116 is not provided at a position overlapping with the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 when viewed from the second direction D2, but a discharge passage communicating with the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 is provided on the carriage. According to this structure, the ink discharged from the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 can be discharged to an arbitrary place through the discharge passage provided on the carriage.

E18. Other ways 18:

in the first embodiment, the platen 115 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 100 is provided with the ink absorbing portion Ab1, and the ink absorbing portion Ab1 is disposed on the first direction D1 side with respect to the second opening Opc that reciprocates through the carriage 116, and absorbs the liquid discharged from the second opening Opc (see fig. 1). However, in a case where, for example, an ink absorbing portion that absorbs liquid discharged from the main body 215 as the first flow path member is provided in the carriage, the carriage may not be provided with such a porous member.

E19. Other modes 19:

in modification 2 of the first embodiment described above, the opening Op12 of the discharge path Ex1 and the second opening Op c of the carriage 116 are arranged at positions overlapping the trajectory of the conveyed printing medium P. However, in a manner in which, for example, the porous member is provided at a position corresponding to the opening Op12 of the discharge passage Ex1 and the second opening Op c of the carriage 116 when the carriage 116 is located at the standby position within the range of the main scanning direction X in which the carriage 116 is movable, the opening Op12 and the second opening Op c may not be arranged at positions overlapping the trajectory of the conveyed printing medium P.

F. Additional modes:

the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various configurations within a scope not departing from the gist thereof. For example, in order to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or in order to achieve some or all of the above-described effects, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features of the embodiments described in the summary of the invention can be appropriately replaced or combined. Note that, this feature is not described as an essential feature in the present specification, and can be deleted appropriately.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejecting head includes: a nozzle plate provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid in a first direction; a first flow path member that is disposed on a second direction side, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, with respect to the nozzle plate, and that is provided with a flow path for supplying liquid to the nozzles therein; a liquid introduction portion that is disposed on the second direction side with respect to the first flow path member, and that introduces liquid from outside the liquid ejecting head to the flow path, the first flow path member having: a surrounding wall which is provided upright from a surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side toward the second direction and surrounds the liquid introduction portion; and a discharge passage for discharging the liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member, wherein a first opening is provided in the surface, the first opening being a part of the discharge passage and opening toward the second direction, the surrounding wall has a first wall portion, the first wall portion is arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a minimum distance between an edge of the first opening and the first wall portion is 1/2 or less of a length of a largest line segment that is configurable in the first opening.

In such a mode, the first opening of the discharge passage is provided with respect to the first wall portion within a range of 1/2 or less of the length of the largest line segment that can be disposed within the first opening. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid existing at the connection portion of the surface on the second direction side of the first flow path member and the first wall portion and the liquid moving toward the connection portion can be discharged from the discharge passage to a predetermined portion outside the first flow path member is high. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid leaks to the outside beyond the surrounding wall and causes the occurrence of a failure can be reduced.

(2) In the liquid jet head according to the above aspect, the first wall portion may have a concave portion, and the concave portion may be a concave portion in which an inner peripheral surface of the first wall portion is recessed toward an outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion, and the first flow path member may be configured such that a straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion overlaps the first opening when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction.

In this way, the liquid existing at the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion can be introduced into the first opening to be discharged to the outside of the first flow path member.

(3) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, the first opening may be located beyond the straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion and may not be located inside the concave portion when the first flow path member is viewed in the first direction.

In this way, the first flow path member can be easily manufactured by casting using the mold.

(4) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, a shortest distance between an inner peripheral surface of the concave portion and an edge of the first opening may be 0.5mm or less.

(5) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, a boundary line between the surface and the first wall portion may divide a part of an edge of the first opening.

In this way, the liquid adhering to the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion can be introduced into the first opening to be discharged to the outside of the first flow path member.

(6) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, the surrounding wall may have a plurality of wall portions including the first wall portion and provided at different positions in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction, and the first wall portion may be an outermost wall portion among the plurality of wall portions in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction.

In such a mode, when the liquid ejecting head is inclined in the direction including the rotational component centered on the direction parallel to the third direction, the liquid flows toward the connection portion between the surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side and the first wall portion. Therefore, such liquid can be introduced into the first opening to be discharged to the outside of the first flow path member.

(7) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, a circuit board for driving the liquid ejecting head may be provided between the nozzle plate and the first flow path member, and an opening at an end of the discharge path opposite to the first opening may be provided at a position not overlapping with the circuit board when the first flow path member is viewed in the first direction.

By adopting such a configuration, the possibility of the liquid discharged from the discharge passage adhering to the circuit board can be reduced.

(8) In the liquid ejecting head according to the aspect described above, the circuit board may have an outer shape in which the third direction is a long side direction and a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction is a short side direction, and the opening at the opposite end may be disposed outside the range of the circuit board in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction and may be disposed between the third direction and the third direction when the first channel member is viewed along the first direction.

In such a manner, the circuit substrate has a pair of connectors at both ends in the long-side direction. Therefore, the distance from the connector to each circuit on the circuit board can be shortened as a whole. The opening at the end of the discharge passage opposite to the first opening is disposed outside the range where the circuit board is located in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction, and is disposed between the pair of connectors in the third direction. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid discharged from the discharge passage adheres to the connector of one side can be reduced.

(9) In the liquid ejecting head according to the above aspect, the liquid ejecting head may be provided with a second flow path member having a supply needle as the liquid introduction portion and inserted into a structure for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting head.

In this way, the liquid can be supplied to the inside of the liquid ejecting head through the second flow path member having the supply needle.

(10) In the liquid ejecting head according to the above aspect, the plurality of wall portions may include: a second wall portion that is disposed along the third direction and that is opposed to the first wall portion; a third wall portion disposed along a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction; a fourth wall portion that is disposed opposite to the third wall portion and along the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction, wherein a minimum distance between the second wall portion and the second flow path member, a minimum distance between the third wall portion and the second flow path member, and a minimum distance between the fourth wall portion and the second flow path member are each 0.7mm or less, and a minimum distance between an edge of the first opening and the second flow path member is 5mm or more when the first flow path member and the second flow path member are viewed along the first direction.

When the liquid ejecting head is inclined toward the second wall portion in a direction lower than the first wall portion, the liquid is held between the second wall portion and the second flow path member. When the liquid ejecting head is inclined toward the third wall portion in a direction lower than the fourth wall portion, the liquid is held between the third wall portion and the second flow path member. When the liquid ejecting head is inclined downward toward the fourth wall portion from the third wall portion, the liquid is held between the fourth wall portion and the second flow path member. As a result, in those cases, the possibility of liquid adhering to other components can be reduced. On the other hand, when the liquid ejecting head is inclined toward the first wall portion in a direction lower than the second wall portion, the liquid is not held between the first wall portion and the second flow path member, but can be discharged from the first opening to a predetermined portion of the outside.

(11) According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: the liquid ejecting head of the above-described manner; and a liquid storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

In this way, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

(12) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, a supply flow path may be provided, the supply flow path supplying the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introducing portion of the liquid ejecting head.

In this way, the liquid can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

(13) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect, the supply flow path may be configured by a hose fitted to the liquid introduction portion.

In this way, even if the liquid leaks when the hose and the liquid introduction portion are inserted and removed, the liquid can be discharged from the discharge passage.

(14) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, a pressure adjusting valve may be provided between the liquid storage portion and the liquid introduction portion to adjust the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

In this way, the liquid can be stably supplied to the liquid ejecting head. In addition, for example, in a structure in which a pressure control valve as a structure for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting head is inserted into or pulled out from a supply needle as a liquid introducing portion, even if the liquid leaks at the time of insertion and pulling out, the liquid can be discharged from the discharge passage.

(15) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the above aspect, a damper chamber may be provided, the damper chamber being provided between the liquid storage portion and the liquid introduction portion and being provided with a flexible film.

In this way, the pressure fluctuation of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head can be alleviated by the damper chamber.

(16) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a carriage that holds the liquid ejecting head and moves the liquid ejecting head, and a porous member that absorbs the liquid discharged from the discharge passage.

In this way, the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head can be recovered by the porous member.

(17) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a carriage that holds the liquid ejecting head and moves the liquid ejecting head, wherein the discharge passage may be a through hole that penetrates the first flow path member in the first direction, and a second opening that communicates with the discharge passage may be provided in a bottom surface of the carriage.

In this way, the liquid can be discharged to the outside of the carriage through the second opening.

(18) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a porous member that is disposed on the first direction side with respect to the second opening and absorbs the liquid discharged from the second opening.

In this way, the liquid discharged to the outside of the carriage can be recovered.

(19) In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect described above, the liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a conveying portion that conveys the medium from which the liquid ejected from the nozzle falls, and the second opening may be disposed at a position where a trajectory of the medium conveyed by the conveying portion overlaps with the second opening when the liquid ejecting apparatus is viewed in the first direction.

The liquid discharged from the second opening adheres to the medium on the transport path, so that the leakage can be promptly notified to the user.

The present disclosure can be implemented in various ways other than the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the liquid ejecting head and the liquid ejecting apparatus may be realized by a method of manufacturing or controlling a liquid ejecting apparatus, a computer program for realizing the method of controlling, a non-transitory recording medium storing the computer program, or the like.

The plurality of components of each embodiment of the present disclosure are not all necessary components, and in order to solve some or all of the problems described above or to achieve some or all of the effects described in the present specification, some of the plurality of components may be appropriately changed or deleted, and some of the new other components may be replaced or limited. In order to solve some or all of the above-described problems or to achieve some or all of the effects described in the present specification, some or all of the technical features included in one embodiment of the present disclosure described above may be combined with some or all of the technical features included in other embodiments of the present disclosure described above to form a separate embodiment of the present disclosure.

Symbol description

Ab1 … ink absorber; ab2 … ink absorber; c11 … minimum distance; c12 … minimum distance; c13 … minimum distance; c14 … minimum distance; cn … connector units; ct … connection terminal; cv … cavity; d1 … first direction; d2 … second direction; d3 … third direction; d4 … fourth direction; ex1 … vent channel; ex2 … vent channel; ex3 … vent channel; ex4 … vent channel; ex5 … vent channel; FP … flow conduit; ld … diameter; the shortest distance between the Lop … first wall and the edge of the first opening; op11 … first openings; op12 … opening; op21 … first openings; op31 … first openings; op41 … first openings; op51 … first openings; opc … second opening; p … print medium; pn … pins; SL1 … is a straight line connecting both ends of the recess W11 r; SL4 … is a straight line connecting both ends of the recess W41 r; SL5 … is a straight line connecting both ends of the recess W51 r; ts … floor (surface); w10 … surrounds the wall; w11 … first wall portion; w11r … recess; w12 … second wall portion; w13 … third wall portion; w14 … fourth wall; w15 … fifth wall; w16 … sixth wall; w17 … seventh wall portion; w18 … eighth wall portion; w21 … first wall portion; w31 … first wall portion; w41 … first wall portion; w41r … recess; w51 … first wall portion; w51r … recess; x … main scanning direction; y … sub-scan direction; 50 … pressure regulating valve; 51 … shell; 52 … valve seat; 55 … valve body; 56 … spring; 100 … liquid spraying device; 100a … liquid spraying device; 110 … control part; 112 … box; 112a … box; 113 … flexible flat cable; 114 … drive belt; 115 … platen; 116 … carriage; 117 … cartridge; 118 … carriage motor; 119 … conveyor motor; 140 … storage means; 141 … hinge; 142 … casing; 150 … ink tank; 151 … atmosphere opening; 153 … liquid injection port; 155 … liquid outlet portion; 160 … hoses; 170 … damper; 171 … casing; 172 … damper chamber; 173 … film; 174 … inlet; 175 … outlet port; 200 … liquid ejecting heads; 200a … liquid ejecting head; 205 … ink supply pins; 210 … rack; 210a … rack; 211 … seals; 213 … filter; 214 … mount; 215 … body portion; 219 … second flow path; 220 … first sealing member; 221 … ink inlet; 230 … circuit substrate; 231 … first through hole; 233 … opening; 240 … actuator unit; 241 … fixing plate; 242 … COF substrate; 243 … piezoelectric; 250 … shell; 253 … first flow path; 255 … storage space; 260 … vibrating plate; 261 … ink inlet; 270 … flow path forming member; 273 … third flow path; 280 … nozzle plate; 281 … nozzle row; 282 … nozzles; 290 … cover; 291 … through holes; 293 … screw; 511 … main chamber; 512 … chambers; 513 … partition walls; 514 and … to the flow passage; 515 … cover member; 516 … into the passageway; 517 … film; 517a … separator; 518 … outflow channel; 519 … sealing member; 520 … compression plate; 550 … valve body; 551 … shaft portions; 552 … flange portions; 560 … abut the component.

Claims

1. A liquid ejecting head includes:

a nozzle plate provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid in a first direction;

a first flow path member that is disposed on a second direction side, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, with respect to the nozzle plate, and that is provided with a flow path for supplying liquid to the nozzles therein;

a liquid introduction portion which is disposed on the second direction side with respect to the first flow path member and introduces liquid from outside the liquid ejecting head to the flow path,

the first flow path member has:

a surrounding wall which is provided upright from a surface of the first flow path member on the second direction side toward the second direction and surrounds the liquid introduction portion;

a discharge passage which discharges liquid from the surface to the outside of the first flow path member,

a first opening is provided on the surface, the first opening being part of the discharge channel and opening towards the second direction,

the surrounding wall has a first wall portion arranged along a third direction orthogonal to the first direction,

the minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the first wall part is less than 1/2 of the length of the largest line segment which can be configured in the first opening,

The first wall portion has a concave portion, the concave portion being concave toward an outer peripheral surface of the first wall portion,

the first flow path member is configured such that a straight line connecting both ends of the concave portion overlaps the first opening when the first flow path member is viewed in the first direction.

2. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the first opening is located beyond the straight line connecting both ends of the recess and is not located inside the recess when the first flow path member is viewed in the first direction.

3. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 2, wherein,

the shortest distance between the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion and the edge of the first opening is 0.5mm or less.

4. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

all of the plurality of wall portions constituting the surrounding wall are provided upright from the surface toward the second direction.

5. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

the surrounding wall has a plurality of wall portions including the first wall portion and disposed at different positions in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction,

The first wall portion is an outermost wall portion of the plurality of wall portions in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction.

6. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 5, wherein,

a circuit board for driving the liquid ejecting head is provided between the nozzle plate and the first flow path member,

an opening of the discharge passage at an end opposite to the first opening is provided at a position not overlapping the circuit substrate when the first flow path member is viewed in the first direction.

7. A liquid ejecting head includes:

the first flow path member has:

the boundary line of the surface and the first wall portion divides a portion of the edge of the first opening.

8. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 7, wherein,

9. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 8, wherein,

10. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 8, wherein,

11. The liquid-jet head as claimed in claim 10, wherein,

when the circuit board is viewed along the first direction, the circuit board has a rectangular shape in which the third direction is a long side direction and a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction is a short side direction,

when the first flow channel member is viewed along the first direction, the first flow channel member has an outer shape of a rectangle including the circuit board, and has a rectangle in which the third direction is a long side direction and the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction is a short side direction,

the circuit substrate has a pair of connectors provided at both ends in the third direction,

The opening at the opposite end is disposed outside a range in which the circuit board is located in the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction, and is disposed between the pair of connectors in the third direction when the first flow path member is viewed along the first direction.

12. The liquid ejecting head as claimed in claim 9, wherein,

the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a second flow path member having a supply needle as the liquid introduction portion and inserted into a structure for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting head.

13. The liquid-jet head as claimed in claim 12, wherein,

the plurality of wall portions have:

a second wall portion that is disposed along the third direction and that is opposed to the first wall portion;

a third wall portion disposed along a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction;

a fourth wall portion that is disposed opposite to the third wall portion and along the direction orthogonal to the first direction and the third direction,

when the first and second flow path members are viewed in the first direction, the minimum distance between the second wall portion and the second flow path member, the minimum distance between the third wall portion and the second flow path member, and the minimum distance between the fourth wall portion and the second flow path member are each 0.7mm or less,

The minimum distance between the edge of the first opening and the second flow path member is 5mm or more.

14. A liquid ejecting apparatus includes:

the liquid ejection head of any one of claims 1 to 13;

and a liquid storage unit that stores liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

15. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein,

the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a supply flow path that supplies the liquid in the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion of the liquid ejecting head.

16. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein,

the supply flow passage is formed by a hose fitted to the liquid introduction portion.

17. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein,

the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a pressure regulating valve provided between the liquid storage portion and the liquid introduction portion and regulating a pressure of liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head.

18. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein,

the liquid storage device is provided with a damper chamber which is provided between the liquid storage portion and the liquid introduction portion and is provided with a flexible film.

19. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein,

the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage that holds the liquid ejecting head and moves the liquid ejecting head, and includes a porous member that absorbs liquid discharged from the discharge passage.

20. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein,

comprising a carriage which holds the liquid ejecting head and moves the liquid ejecting head,

the discharge passage is a through hole penetrating the first flow path member in the first direction,

on the bottom surface of the carriage, a second opening communicating with the discharge passage is provided.

21. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein,

the liquid-absorbing device is provided with a porous member that is disposed on the first direction side with respect to the second opening and absorbs liquid discharged from the second opening.

22. The liquid ejecting apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein,

comprises a conveying part for conveying the medium from which the liquid ejected from the nozzle falls,

the second opening is arranged at a position where a trajectory of the medium conveyed by the conveying portion overlaps with the second opening when the liquid ejecting apparatus is viewed in the first direction.